The poverty of an aspiring immigrant’s nation of origin is as irrelevant as their race. The sentiment attributed to POTUS is inconsistent w/ America’s history and antithetical to American values. May our memory of Dr. King buoy our hope for unity, greatness, & “charity for all.”

Last Thursday, Trump had disparagingly referred to Haiti and African countries as “shithole countries” while discussing immigration reform with lawmakers at the White House, according to various reports.

The president has since denied that he used those exact words. He told reporters on Sunday night that he is “the least racist person you have ever interviewed.”

Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) has said President Donald Trump's reported comments about Haitians and African countries are "antithetical to American values."

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who was in the room during Thursday’s White House meeting, has backed the reports about Trump’s comments, stating that Trump said “these hate-filled things and he said them repeatedly.”

Sen. Tim Scott. (R-S.C.), who did not attend the meeting, said that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told him that media reports on Trump’s comments were “basically accurate.”

Graham has declined to confirm Trump’s exact words publicly. He told the Post and Courier on Monday: “My memory hasn’t evolved. I know what was said and I know what I said.”

He also criticized the president for lacing “his public speeches with vulgarity.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Sen. Tim Scott attended the meeting and confirmed having heard Trump’s comments. Scott was citing Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was at the meeting.